CIVICUS’s Recent Findings

The global nonprofit CIVICUS has placed the United States on its monitor list for potential human rights threats, attributing this decision to actions taken by President Donald Trump following his return to office in January.

Key Concerns

According to Mandeep Tiwana, the interim co-secretary general of CIVICUS, various government actions have fostered an atmosphere detrimental to democratic processes. These include:

• Restrictive executive orders.
• Significant cuts to institutional funding.
• Intimidation tactics from senior officials.

Tiwana expressed concern that these actions contribute to chilling dissent, a fundamental aspect of American democracy, and impede the system of checks and balances crucial for democratic governance.

International Context

The United States now joins the likes of Italy, Pakistan, Serbia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo on CIVICUS’s updated watch list for 2025. This list identifies countries experiencing significant declines in respect for civic space, as assessed through various research initiatives.

“Gross abuses of executive power” in the U.S. raise alarms about the freedoms of assembly, expression, and association, according to the organization.

Impacts of Current Leadership

CIVICUS has highlighted specific issues such as:

• Trump’s aggressive stance on mass firings of federal employees.
• The dismantling of key foreign aid programs.
• Harsh treatment of the media.
• Efforts to suppress pro-Palestinian protests across the nation.

These actions have garnered bipartisan alarm over the authoritarian drift of the current administration.

Global Freedom Ratings

Within CIVICUS’s framework, the U.S. is categorized as a “narrowed” country regarding freedom, which indicates sporadic violations of civil rights. This status places the U.S. alongside other nations such as France, Germany, and Argentina. In total, 42 countries share the “narrowed” classification, positioning it as a middle rank between “open” and more oppressive categories, such as “closed,” which includes nations like Russia, North Korea, and Iran.

Countries recognized as “open” are typically heralded for their robust protections of civil liberties; these include Taiwan, Canada, Japan, and Denmark.

Call to Action

CIVICUS has urged affected governments to cease ongoing crackdowns and ensure accountability for those involved in violations against civic freedoms. The organization underscores the need for immediate action to preserve democratic rights and values.